Miller says two BEC employees held hostage

Thu, Mar 27th 2014, 11:12 AM

Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Executive Chairman Leslie Miller said yesterday two female employees of BEC were briefly held "hostage" by a group of men in Pinewood Gardens as they attempted to disconnect a customer's electricity supply on Tuesday.
Miller said the women visited the home, but were forced to stay in their vehicle and called for assistance after the men locked the gate of the property and repeatedly threatened to "smash their faces in with a rock".
"The gentleman picked up a rock -- and when I say a rock, I mean a big rock -- and told her he would smash their faces in if she was to disconnect his light," said Miller, at a press conference at BEC's headquarters.
"...Five men in the neighborhood then went to the gate and stopped them from leaving the gate and they were threatened.
"One man said he would go home and get his nine millimeter and kill all two of them if they came in his yard and turned off his light."
Miller said BEC supervisors and the police responded and assisted the women and the matter is now under investigation.
Police confirmed that two men were arrested in connection with the incident.
The women, although shaken by the ordeal, were unharmed, Miller said.
He said BEC disconnected the customer's electricity supply pending the outcome of the matter.
Miller said BEC employees in the field have been harassed, threatened and assaulted in past years, but there has been an increase in reported incidents in the past few weeks.
He said in the last three weeks at least three employees reported they were threatened, and in at least two cases rocks were thrown at them.
Miller said while the corporation understands times are hard, BEC instructs employees to disconnect households and it is nothing personal.
He said accounts in arrears where there is no evidence that a customer has made an attempt to pay a portion of the bill will be disconnected.
According to Miller, the average customer in arrears in New Providence has a bill at around $5,000.
"We are asking the public to please show some restraint, and to the men, show some class; you do not threaten women," Miller said.
"And you are now going to face the full extent of the law. And only God knows when your light will be turned on again, but it isn't going to be [any time] soon.
"Those men should be ashamed of themselves. They have no shame...I want to apologize to those two women."
There are 32 employees who disconnect supplies, according to Miller. He said six are women.
He said they have now been instructed to execute their duties in twos.
Miller warned that BEC would disconnect any customer who threatens and/or assaults a BEC employee.

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